Warhammer asked:
I started up the aquarium like 3 days ago, so far my test reading for my reef tank is:
I started up the aquarium like 3 days ago, so far my test reading for my reef tank is:
Ph is 8.4
ammonia is 0.50
nitrate is 0
nitrite is 0.
which nitrate or nitrate is the last stage?
cycling with live rocks
ammonia spikes and drops, while that’s dropping nitrite should spike and drop, when that starts to drop nitrate should start to rise. that’s the general run of a cycle.
by the end of it your tank should be able to change 5ppm of ammonia and the equivalent nitrite into 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and under 20ppm of nitrates within 12 hours.
at only 3 days old, yours is only just beginning. how are you cycling it? it can take a month or more for a saltwater tank to cycle.
It will depend on the quality of the rock and how long it has spent in the curing chamber, if you obtain good quality rock then the cycling process may only take a week or so and in a few rare cases you will barely detect any ammonia. Still if you intend to keep any corals or invertebrates such as shrimp or crabs then it is a very good idea to leave the tank for a couple of months before you add any.
It has started to cycle that is about it. The ammonia you are seeing now is just dead residue from the rock. Your ammonia spikes will vary since that is dependant on MANY variables. Size of the tank, how much rock, salanity, temperatures what creatures or “things” were caught inside the rock.
Keep a daily log on your tank. Your tank may or may not peak at a 4 or 5 Ammonia, just remember nitrites will follow.
Even with live rock, your tank will not cycle in a week or even two. Although it speeds things up not that fast. Also remember with salt tanks, cycling is one thing maturing is another so be careful what fish you are adding too soon.
Here is a link on cycling your fish tank:
did you add fish to help in the natural cycling process?
Here is a good link that may help:
Good Luck!